Do your teeth need cleaning?

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are the golden rules for good dental health. Daily brushing and flossing keeps healthy mouths healthy, however there are many other dental problems that brushing and flossing alone cannot fix. For this reason, we recommend all our patients come in for a check-up and clean every six months, just to make sure there are no problems that need to be addressed.

Brushing

Regardless of your age, always use a soft brush with a small head. Hard brushes can destroy your teeth. You should also replace your toothbrush every 3 months; if it is looking worn in less than 3-months, then your technique may need correcting – which we can help with at your next check-up. Remember to always brush your gums as well as your teeth.

Tips to brush correctly:

  1. Place the brush at a 45 degree angle against your gums.
  2. Rotate the brush gently in small circular motions.
  3. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth and the chewing surfaces.
  4. Brush or scrape your tongue as this removes bacteria that cause bad breathe.
  5. Rinse with water.

REMEMBER: Only floss the teeth you want to keep!

Flossing is as important as brushing. It removes plaque from between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing correctly takes practice and is an acquired skill!

Here are some tips on how to floss properly:

  1. Start with a length of floss around half a meter long, wrapped around the middle fingers of both hands.
  2. Hold the floss between the thumb and forefingers.
  3. Guide the floss gently between the teeth using a sawing motion.
  4. Be gentle and move the floss up and down the inside of each side of the tooth.

No matter how diligent you are at brushing and flossing, some dental problems need professional attention, so please remember your check-up at least every 6 months.